Macon-Bibb County officials have approved a $20 million purchase option for the former JCPenney building at Macon Mall, setting the stage for a potential casino resort if Georgia voters amend the state constitution to allow gambling.

The Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority voted Thursday to enter into a 10-year option agreement with Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc., a subsidiary of PENN Entertainment, which operates 41 casinos and betting facilities across the country. The company secured the right to purchase the property, though it cannot move forward with casino development unless state leaders and voters authorize it.

Under the agreement, the company has an initial five-year window to exercise the option. It may extend that period by another five years by paying an additional $500,000. During the first five years, Gaming and Leisure Properties plans to invest up to $2.5 million to demolish the existing structure and prepare the land through clearing, paving, and landscaping.

Mayor Lester Miller said the site has long been part of redevelopment plans for the area surrounding the mall and the adjacent amphitheater. “We’ve always wanted to have a hotel on the site there,” Miller said, according to 13WMAZ. “And of course, you know, the state of Georgia has to determine whether or not they’re gonna allow casinos.”

If the Georgia General Assembly designates Central Georgia as an approved casino location and voters pass a constitutional amendment, the developer would gain exclusive rights to build on the property.

Legislative Approval Stands in the Way

Georgia law currently prohibits casino gambling. Any change would require lawmakers to pass a constitutional amendment by a two-thirds majority in both chambers before placing the measure on a statewide ballot.

At present, Senate Resolution 131 is the only measure at the Capitol that directly addresses casino gambling. Introduced in February 2025, the proposal would amend the Georgia Constitution to permit the General Assembly to authorize and regulate sports betting and casino gambling. The resolution remains in committee and has not advanced.

Even if legislators move the measure forward during the current session, which runs through the end of March, voters would still need to approve it in a referendum before any casino construction could begin.

The debate over gambling expansion has intensified in recent months. A sports gambling bill was revived last month, and casino proposals have resurfaced as lawmakers examine options for adjusting the state’s tax structure, including eliminating income taxes and reducing property taxes. Supporters have pointed to gambling as a possible source of additional revenue.

“There are so many states across the United States that are legalizing casinos because basically we already have them in our communities anyway through sports betting and through machines in the stores,” Miller said.

Georgia’s constitution currently allows only limited forms of gambling, such as the state lottery. As a result, securing land does not authorize development without broader legal changes.

Local Leaders Emphasize Redevelopment Goals

County officials describe the mall property as a prime redevelopment opportunity. Macon-Bibb County acquired the mall at no cost, meaning a completed $20 million sale would return funds directly to taxpayers.

Mayor Miller framed the agreement as financially advantageous for the community. “For Macon-Bibb County, it’s a win-win,” Miller said. “Allowing them the opportunity to come there with 20 million dollars, and quite honestly, they’ll probably build a $3-to-400-million-dollar casino hotel casino if it happens there that will be taxable.”

Alex Morrison, director of the Urban Development Authority, said planners envision a project that fits within the existing commercial zoning and complements nearby neighborhoods. “You look at places like Las Vegas, Biloxi, their core industry is casino gambling,” Morrison told WGXA Friday. “What we’re talking about here is acting as an assembly, a demand driver in a suburban style development that is already [zoned] commercial.”

Morrison said officials are studying models used in cities such as Tulsa and Baltimore, where casino projects were integrated into broader development strategies.

If gambling legislation fails to pass within the first five years, the developer may extend the option by paying the additional $500,000 or withdraw from the agreement. Miller indicated that even in that scenario, the county would benefit from clearing the site. “We’ll be satisfied with the clean slate that we have there with our building coming down,” Miller continued.

Community Response Reflects Divided Views

Residents expressed varied opinions about the proposal. Deborah Ivester said she feels conflicted about the idea. “I’m kind of torn because the revenue would be good, but I’m just against gambling,” she said. She also voiced concerns about the broader social impact. “I hate how people get caught up in it and lose everything they’ve got, so I’ve got a lot against gambling,” she said.

Others focused on potential economic activity and renewed use of the property. Robert Middleton, who grew up in Macon, said he believes the project could help revive the area. “I think it would be a good idea,” Middleton said. “I feel like it would help the economy… the mall is really dead; a casino would pick it up and bring it up to life.”

For now, the future of the Macon Mall site rests with the Georgia legislature and, ultimately, the state’s voters. Until they act, the $20 million agreement remains a conditional step toward a possible casino resort in central Georgia.